South Korea is preparing for the hottest week of the year as temperatures in Seoul are forecast to reach 33°C [3].
The sudden shift from dense morning fog to extreme heat creates simultaneous challenges for aviation safety and public health across the peninsula.
Dense fog impacted inland areas of Gangwon, Chungcheong, and Jeonbuk provinces on Sunday morning. Visibility in these regions dropped to approximately 200 meters [1], which prompted the issuance of low-visibility warnings at Wonju Airport and Cheongju Airport [4].
As the fog clears, a significant heat wave is expected to take hold. The midday temperature in Seoul is forecast to reach 32°C today [2]. This represents an increase in heat compared to the previous day, a YTN weather caster said.
The heat is expected to intensify further over the next 48 hours. The caster said that daytime temperatures in Seoul will climb to 33°C tomorrow and the day after [3].
"Tomorrow and the day after, the daytime temperature in Seoul will soar to 33 degrees, and it is expected to be the hottest week of the year," the caster said [3].
Weather officials said that the fog formed due to specific atmospheric conditions, while the rising temperatures are part of a broader seasonal summer heat wave. Residents are advised to monitor local weather updates as the region transitions from hazardous visibility to high-temperature conditions.
“Seoul temperatures are expected to hit 33°C as low-visibility warnings affect regional airports.”
The convergence of low-visibility aviation hazards and peak summer temperatures suggests a volatile weather pattern for the region. While the fog creates immediate logistical disruptions for air travel at regional hubs like Cheongju and Wonju, the projected 33°C peak in Seoul indicates the onset of a severe heat wave that may strain energy grids and increase public health risks.
